Both were drummers involved in bands that predate their PA included bands.Both were composers, lyricists, and vocalists.Both have voiced an appreciation for pop music, and both have been involved in jazz fusion.Both were in important bands in the archives before pursuing solo careers.Both were drummers but left it (at one time) for different reasons: Wyatt because of his accident, and Collins for aesthetic reasons, and so that he could easier focus on his role as a songwriter and singer.etc.

My question is not who is the more creative, talented, or innovative. Nor is it who had the bigger impact on music. It's not who was the better musician, singer, lyricist, or composer. It's not who has more integrity, or who you prefer. It's not about who was the bigger force in progressive music, who had the better bands and the better solo career. It's not about who is better looking, a nicer guy, is more likely to play Santa or Oliver twist. I'm not asking which provokes a stronger reaction. It's not about a lot of things. I'm sure you'll be able of lots of things it is not about too. So here's what it is about... The question is: which artist have you mentioned or discussed more at PA? Based on recollection.

And I mean specifically talked about: just mentioning projects they were in is not enough, but posting in a topic about either one specifically is.

I'm mildly curious to see the percentages even if a silly exercise. Of course Genesis is a more popular band than Soft Machine, and proggers are more likely to prefer solo Wyatt than solo Collins. And of course Collins elicits a strong reaction from many (but please no "bashing" of either artist here).

I get tired of people slamming Phil because his solo stuff became commercial.He's twice the drummer & singer that Robert Wyatt ever was.

That's why I made this a no-bashing thread, and a reason why I asked such a non-confrontational and uninteresting question. And many questions would come across as loaded -- they both have their strengths, I feel. But I'd rather thought that Collins solo career started commercial, rather than becoming commercial. But I'm no expert. He certainly found much commercial success quickly.

I think Phil Collins was and is a very good drummer and singer (I happen to generally prefer his voice to Gabriel's in Genesis though I find Gabriel's solo career much more enjoyable than Collins). I happen to prefer Robert Wyatt's career to Phil Collins and Gabriel (not just solo career), but then I'm a big Canterbury fan, and Robert Wyatt is a key figure in Canterbury -- more than Phil Collins is a key figure in symphonic Prog.

I don't know for sure who was the better drummer (but Phil Collins commonly gets listed amongst the best Prog drummers, unlike Robert Wyatt). I like Wyatt's style, but also like Collins. Collins has a voice that more people would like, certainly, and from a more traditional point of view, I'm sure it would be generally considered better. Technically better by common standards, I would think, but Wyatt conveys something to me, an honesty and immediacy that appeals to me (it's not that polished). I can feel his presence as a person more, somehow (it seems more personable and real for me). Collins tends to be very polished, and I like the music, but he leaves me a little colder -- like he's more distant from the audience (which he is when he has played stadiums), whereas one can imagine Wyatt playing small smoky venues and chatting with the audience in a more intimate experience.

I just find him more personable, and personally appealing (a big part of that is the unrefined or unpolished, whatever word fits best, vocal delivery). Maybe the most important thing to me is the differences in attitude in how they express themselves through the music/ lyrics. I've long liked many songs by Collins, by the way, so this is no real criticism of Collins, nor does it bother me that he found such commercial success -- he's VERY good at what he does.

I love all of Wyatt's albums -- the humour, whimsy, pathos, observations and the music, but also the personality as I see it.

There are just different ways to see things. I happen to prefer Wyatt's compositions and career path on the whole to Collins, but Collins has way more admirers (and I admire his talents too).

Anyway, I've mentioned both plenty of times, but over the last year I think I've mentioned Wyatt much more.

I started an infamous add Phil Collins to PA thread and I have never spoke of Robert Wyatt (until now) so easily I have spoke more about Phil Collins than I have Robert Wyatt.

Ah, yes, a classic. He is the only member of Genesis whose solo career is not in the archives, is he not? Well him and the other drummers like Silver and Mayhew whose careers outside of Genesis I know nothing of (nor if they released solo albums). But of the better known members, he is the odd man out.

moreitsythanyou wrote:

By name, Wyatt. I don't talk much about Collins
solo. Those threads get so stupid, while on the other hand I'm really
enjoying what I hear from Wyatt.

Stupid can be fun -- some of those threads are quite funny; but then there's usually a fair bit of rancor in them. I myself played a part in a recently locked thread -- thought my post was kind of amusing. Some people just take things too personally or seriously at times (including me).

I find Wyatt quite inspirational. He seems to be a man of conviction, and comes across as sincere, with good wit to boot, which is part of the charm. I also find his music very satisfying. And Phil Collins was terrific in South Park! ->

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot create polls in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum